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TELEVISION

Polar Explorations

Series: Great Courses

4.1

(9)

Episodes

Rating

TVPG

Year

2015

Language

English

Publisher

The Great Courses

About

Travel to the polar regions with five Arctic and Antarctic experts on an exquisite visual journey, produced in partnership with National Geographic. You'll encounter incredible wildlife, learn about the "heroic era" of polar exploration, discover how indigenous peoples thrive in these climates, and gain valuable tips on how to take captivating photographs in the otherworldly landscapes.

Related Subjects

Episodes

1. Passion for the Poles

30m

What draws people to the poles again and again? What significance do these regions hold for the planet? Begin to answer these questions with Fen Montaigne, a journalist who has traveled extensively in the polar regions, as you delve into the awe-inspiring story of Ernest Shackleton's struggles in Antarctica, as well as Montaigne's own experiences.

2. Seasons at the Poles

30m

In the latitudes where most of us live, it's easy to take the sun for granted. For us, the sun comes up and goes down reliably every day, yet the poles experience six months each of continuous night and constant day. What causes the seemingly strange behavior of the sun at the poles? What causes seasons? Find out in this lecture presented by astronomy professor Edward Murphy.

3. Connections between the Poles

30m

The North and South Poles share a history that is unique and unlike any other place on Earth. Join Professor Michael Wysession as he lays the groundwork for understanding the polar regions with a discussion of their geology - dominated by ice, ocean, climate, and even nearby outer space - as well as their similarities and differences.

4. The Saga of Arctic Exploration

30m

Over the centuries, hundreds of people have perished trying to find their way through the Northwest Passage and to the North Pole, while hundreds more have spent months or years trapped on ships in Arctic sea ice. Discover how explorers such as Henry Hudson, Sir John Franklin, and Roald Amundsen opened up this polar region to the world.

5. The Icy Heart of Polar Seas

30m

Virtually every living thing in polar waters - from single-celled phytoplankton to whales - has evolved in a world dominated by sea ice. Study how Arctic and Antarctic marine ecosystems work, and consider what happens to a sea ice-dependent marine ecosystem when the sea ice begins to disappear.

6. Geology of the Arctic Circle

30m

Zoom in for a closer look at the unique geologic characteristics of the North Pole and surrounding Arctic Circle. First, take a brief geologic tour of the Arctic regions, then examine how the ocean, atmosphere, and surface geology all interact, and how this region has changed geologically over time.

7. Science and Spirits of the Arctic Sky

30m

Constellations were vital to the early Inuits' survival, as they used the daily, monthly, and annual motions of the stars for timekeeping, navigation, and tracking the seasons. Explore this tradition and how it differs from Western astronomy, then investigate what causes the breathtaking aurora borealis.

8. Indigenous Peoples of the Arctic

30m

Although fewer than a half-million in number, Arctic dwellers are comprised of approximately 40 different ethnic groups. Learn how the Nenets of Russia, the Inuit of North America, and other communities survive, and how industrialization and other factors are altering traditional ways of life.

9. Greenland and Arctic Islands

30m

Delve into the past, present, and future of three of the most notable islands in the Arctic and sub-Arctic: Iceland, one of the world's most geologically active areas; Greenland, which dwarfs all other Arctic islands in size; and the Svalbard archipelago, home to The Global Seed Vault.

10. Terrestrial Mammals in the Changing Arctic

30m

Now that Arctic sea ice is retreating, what will become of the polar bear? Will it survive and, if so, in what numbers? Learn how changes to the ecosystem are affecting the polar bears and the other remarkable animals that call the Arctic home, from the lemming to the Arctic fox.

Extended Details

SeriesGreat Courses

Closed CaptionsEnglish

Artists

Michael E. WysessionWriter

Michael E. WysessionActor

Edward M. MurphyActor

Sylvia A. EarleActor

Ralph Lee HopkinsActor

Fen MontaigneActor